Pre-Listening Exercise
The following words are found in the conversation. What do you think is the main topic of the conversation?
office supplies, fax, brochure, service, computers, answering machines
Idioms
“in the black” = in good financial condition with no debt
“The company has been in the black for the past six months.“
“see eye-to-eye” = to agree or feel the same way
“Most of the employees see eye-to-eye on the future of the company.”
Listening Exercise
A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.
Secretary: Hello, Ultimate Computers. May I help you?
Caller: Yes, this is Jack Kordell from Hunter’s Office Supplies. May I speak to Elaine Strong, please?
Secretary: I’m sorry, but she’s not in right now.
Caller: Okay, do you know when she’ll be back?
Secretary: Uh, yes, she should be here later on this afternoon, maybe about 4:30. May I take a message?
Caller: Yes. Ms. Strong sent me a brochure detailing your newest line of laptop computers with a description of other software products, but there wasn’t any information about after-sales service.
Secretary: Oh, I’m sorry. Would you like me to fax that to you?
Caller: Yes, but our fax is being repaired at the moment, and it won’t be working until around 2:30. Hum . . . could you try sending that information around 3:30? That should give me time to look over the material before I call Ms. Strong, say, around 5:00.
Secretary: Sure. Could I have your name, telephone number, and fax number, please?
Caller: Yes. Jack Kordell and the phone number is 560-1287. And the fax number is 560-1288.
Secretary: Okay. Jack Kordell. Is your name spelled C-o-r-d-e-l?
Caller: No. It’s Kordell with a “K” and two “l’s.” K-o-r-d-e-l-l.”
Secretary: All right, Mr. Kordell. And your phone number is 560-1287, and the fax number is 560-1288. Is that correct?
Caller: Yes it is.
Secretary: All right. I’ll be sure to send you the fax this afternoon.
Caller: Okay, bye.
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- brochure (noun): pamphlet, small booklet
– Could you send me a brochure of your laptop computers? - detail (verb, also noun): to explain
– The manager decided to detail his recent visit to our parent company.